Paper container



Spt. 25, 1928.

J. G. NORTON PAPER CONTAINER Filed July 1. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 25, 1928;. 1,685,138

J. G. NORTON PAPER CONTAINER Ffiled- Jply 1. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 anvemtoz $51 attoma Patented Sept. 25,1923.

JAMES G. NORTON, OE LEONIA, NEWJEBSEY.

Penna eearrarnnn.

a lication filed an 1, 1921. serial no. 481,781

This invention relates to paper containers, the illustrated container being particularly designed foruse in dispensing ice cream.

It is an object of the invention to provide a container composed of paper or the like, which can be manufactured so cheaply that it-rnay be discarded after a single use without appreciable economic loss and from which ice cream, syrup or fruits or any combination or them may be eatenwithsatistaction to the user while he is walking, riding in a vehicle such as an automobile, or sitting, in the absence of a table or other dish support.

To this end an important feature of the invention resides in the provision of a paper container comprising a body portion adapted to receive a substance of human consumption such, for example, as ice cream and a member mounted on the body portion and constructed to facilitate the support of the container by the hand Ofbllfl user. Preferably, the body portion of the container is substantially coneshaped, and is provided at its smaller, lower end with a substantially cylindrical, tubular portion arranged to be held in the hand and having its lower end closed.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a container which i s-particularly well suited to the combined dispensing of ice cream and cake, and a further feature of the invention resides in the provision of a body member adapted to contain ice cream and a member extending outwardly from the body member and constructed to support a piece of calrelhe last-mentioned feature of the invention may be applied in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. At the present time, however, I prefer to make the body portion of the container in the form of a cone and to provide an extension or apron extending outwardly from'the top part of the cone in a substantially; horizontal plane. The apron is so shaped as to provide a safe support for the'cake and at the same time to facilitate the eating of cake from it, and theupper edge of the body portion of the container is preferably turned in to prevent the contents of thecontainer from slopping over. v

Other-objects and features of the invention will be apparent as the description proceeds and will be pointedclaims.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a view in, perspective of the improved container on a reducedscale;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the container; Fig. 3 is a view of-the container on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 illustrates the manner in which the container blanks are formed;

out in the appended Fig. 5 illustrates the manner of molding the blanks roughly into the shape of the containers:

Fig. 6 illustrates the manner of forming the container with inturned upper edges;

Fig. 7 is a central, vertical section of the container with the apron omitted; and

Figs. 8 and 9 are views corresponding with Fig. T and showing the container in plan and perspective respectively.

As illustrated, the improved container comprises a-conic'al body portion 2 adapted to contain ice cream and a. substantially cylindrical, tubular portion 4 depending from the body portion, closed at its lower end as indicated at '5, and constructed to be engaged by the hand of the user and thus to render it easy for the user to support and manipulate the container while a substance or human consumption such, for example, as ice cream n .18 being eaten :trom it.

The tubular handle portion 4 of the container preferably communicates at its upper end with the interior of the body portion 2, as shown in the drawings, in order to enable the containers to be packed in cartons in nested relations for convenience'and economy in shipment and to cause them' to takeup but little space at a soda fountain or other place where ice cream is served. If .the material from which the containers are made is fvery thin and flexible, they maybe satisfactorily nested even it their tubular handle portions 4' are cylindrical. It is preferred, however, to taper the handle portions-4 0f the containers inwardly from their upper ends to the'ti'ps of their lower ends, so as still further to facilitate the nesting of the containers. Manifestly, the degree oftaper of the handle portions 4 may vary with the character of the material from which the containers are made,

that is, the thinner and more flexible the material, the less the degree of taper required to enable the containers to be properly nested.

A container shaped in the form of a cone from its upper to its lower end is not satisfactory for use in serving ice cream sundaes. ,One of the reasons why such a container is not satisfactoryis-that a cone, particularly, when it has a large degree oftaper, gives a feeling of insecurity when held in the hand, for the reason that it. merely rests upon the partially shut hand without affording any part which can be grasped by the fingers. If an attempt is made to close thefingers about a cone,-it is forced upwardly in the hand, and the result of such effort is aless secure rather than a more secure hold.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal contour lines of the tubular handle portion 4 are arranged at an angle of approximately 135with the longitudinalcontour lines of the body porvariation may tion 2 of the container. The angular rela-' tion between the longitudinal contour lines of the body and handle portions of the container may vary considerably from 135 within ,the scope ofthe invention, and such be effected b changing the degree of taper of the handle portion or the body portion or both from that shown in the drawing. The body portion of the container should, however, be formed with a considerable taper in order to provide a receiving portion of the usual and proper shape for containing a sundae,-and the angle between the longitudinal contour lines of the handle portion and those of the body portion should not exceed 150 in order to enable the handle portion tobe grasped by the fingers as distinguished from a smooth cone which cannot be so grasped.

The provision of the container witha handle portion and a body portion having {their longitudinal contour lines at an angle of 135 to each other, as shown in the drawing, provides an annular channel about the container at right angles to itscenter line or axis, one side of the channel being defined by the outer surface of the body portion 2 of the container, the other side of the cha .nel. being defined by the outer surface of th .handle portion 4, and the deepest point of the channel being. at the'juncture, of the handle and body portions. The channel thus formed receives the hand and greatly assists in enabling the user to obtain a firm hold on the container while its contents are being eaten.

The container of this inventlon 1s constrncted to be held with the handin its mens'ion of the palm of the hand arranged.

natural position, that is, with the lateral divertically and the fingers lying one above another. Moreover, the form of the improved container enables it to contain a sundae of the usual size and to be held, not only recedes detract in any degree from the enjoyment of the ice cream or other substance which is eaten from the container.

Preferably, and as shown, in the drawing, the contours of the handle portion 4 and the body portion 2 have single straight-line elements which meet in sharply defined angles at the juncture of said portions. Manifestly, however, the longitudinal contour lines of the container may comprise a curve at the junction of the handle and the body portions with no sharply defined apex where said portions are joined. Q

lhe handle portion 4 should be of a len th at least one-half as grat'as the distance between theplanes of the upper and lower ends of the body portion 2 or, in other words,- as the length'of the axis of the body portion. I now prefer to make the handle portion 4 of a length less than the length of the axis of the body portion 2 but approximating more or less closely the length of the axis of the body portion, as clearly appears from the drawing.

This construction enables the handle portion straight ed e 8 extending outwardly from the.

body 2 of t e container and a curved edge 10 extendi'ngfrom the outer end of the straight edge 8 to the body portion 2. T e'straight edg'8 is arranged in the plane 0 the main body of theapron 6, but the curved edge of the apron is preferably turned upwardly as" indicated at 12.

The container is designed to be held in the hand as indicatedby broken lines 14 in Fig.

2. It will. be apparent, therefore, that a piece of cakesuch as is exhibited by full lines 16 on Fig. 1 or a spoon 17 will be safely held in position on the apron 6 by the upturned edge of the apron and that the cake may be eaten very conveniently from the straight edge8. A

The broken lines 18 on Fig. 2indicate the sleeve of the person using the container. It will'be apparent from this view that the apron 6 acts also to protectthe sleeve of the wearer from being soiled by the ice cream or other substance being. eaten.

In order to prevent liquid such, for example, as fruit syrup-from. being slopped from the container, the conical bodyportion 2 has its upper edge turned in as' shown at (Fig. 3-)

. The improved container may manifestly be made in various ways. A convenient and cheap method by which they may be manufactured consists in severing a piece of paper stock such asthe piece 22 in Fig. 4 along the curved line 24 and the straight line 26, and

then molding the blank thus formed into the shape of the container. I

Thecontainer blanks when severed from the stock comprise a circular portion 28 adapt ed to be formed into the body portion 2 and cylindrical portion 4 of the container and a second portion 30 which constitutes the apron 6 in the finished article. The line of juncture of the portions 28 and 30 is indicated in Fig.

- on its upper side with a recess adapted to receive the apron-forming portion of t e containerblan x The container blank is laid across the top of the lower mold 34 with the portion 30 so disposed as to register with the recess 40 of the mold 34 when the blank is caused to enter the mold. The blank is thrust into the lower mold 34 lly the upper mold 36whiclucomprises a lower, cylindrical member'42' adapted I to enter the opening 37 of the lower mold, a

conical portion 44 constructed to fit into the chamber 38 of the lower mold34, and a laterally extending part 46 which is received in the recess 40 of-the'lewer mold to impart the desired shape to the apron 6 of the container. In order to turn'the curved edge 10 of the apron 6 upwardly the outeixwall 48 of the recess 40 and the outer surface'50 of the part 46 are inclined upwardly as shown in- Fig. 5., The cylindrical member 42' of the upper mold 36 may be formed in two pieces between which is interposed a compression spring 52. This construction insures that the blank will fully enter the mold before it is engaged by the conical portion 44of the mold 3 The blanks after they leave the mold '34 are preferably subjected to asecond molding operation. In this operation-a molding element 54 constructed to fit into the conical portion 2 and cylindrical portion 40f the blank is first inserted into the blank and the element 54 and the blank are then interposed between a supporting member 56 and a top 'tacle.

rounded inwardly at 60, and the inner surface of the mold 58 is correspondingly formed so that when the mold 58 and the element 54 are caused to approach each other, the upper edge of the conical portion 2 of the container blank is turned inwardly as indicated at 62.

In order tocause theupper edge of-the container to be inturned at the portion adjacent to the apron 6, the apron 6 is supported dur-. ing the second molding operation on a yieldingly mounted member 64 and the top mold .58 is thickened at the point where it engages the apron 6 as shown at 66 (Fig. 6). The

mold 58 and supporting member .64 engage the apron 6 at a point 68 spaced from the inner edge of the apron \Vith this construction, when the molding element 54 and top mold 58 are brought together, the paper between the points 68- and 70 (Fig. 6) is formed into an upwardly and inwardly extending fold as indicated in broken lines in Fig. 6.

y The opening 37 0f the mold 34 preferably tapers slightly from top to bottom in order that the cylindrical portions 40f the containers will be somewhat larger at their upper ends than at their lower ends, thus enabling the containers to be nested for shipment.

"hen the containers are nested and shipped their inturned upper ends 20 are forced outwardl y but they return nearly if not quite to their originalf contour when they are again separated from each other.

If it is desired to make the'container of verythin paper, it may be necessary or esirable to enclose the cylindrical port1ons4 of the containers in thimbles 72 of relatively thick paper or other similar material.

, The illustrated container is designed to contai-Ifa p'ap'e'rcone 74 of the type commonly used in'glass or metal holders at soda foun-- tains for sanitary reasons. It will be manifest, however, that the invention is not limited to use with a cone of the type of the cone 74, and that the container of this inven tion may, if desired, be formed of paper'or other material impermeable to liquid and adapted to receive the substance to be eaten withoutfthe use of any intermediate recep Certain features of the invention, for example, a body portion adapted to contain a substance of human consumption and a member mounted on the .body portion and constructed to be engaged by the hand to facilitate holding the container while the substance is being eaten from it, may be embodied in a container which is not provided turned-in edge.

In the event that the improved container is used Without a paper cone 74, the cream is preferably pressed in somewhat as it 1s placed in the container. caused to form a liquid-tight seal between itself and the walls of the container which en- -with a shelf or apron and does not have a The cream may thus be mold 58. The top part of the element 54 is ables syrup to be added to the container after handle portion.

- to the walls of the cup. Accordingl any material which finds'its way into the andle I0) portion 4 will be in the form of a thick, sticky liquid which may be readily recovered by tipping the cr'mtainer so as to cause it to flow out on the sideof the cup from which it may be removed by a-suitable spoon.

Although the container of this invention has been described as being made of paper,

- it is recognized thatother materials may be portion.

used which possess qualities similar to paper suchas cheapness, etc. The material used is not only cheap so as to enable the containers to be discarded after a single use without substantial economic loss, but is also preferably easily disintegrable by force so that, if desired any liquidwhich collects in the handle 1 portion 4 may be recovered by tearing the body portion down to the handle portion or by breakingthe handle portion from the body enough to enable its contents to be eaten with a spoon or other suitable implement without haste and with reasonable allowance for interruption plus a liberal factor of safety. The phrase, period required for consumption of its contents, and like phrases appearing in some of the claims are intended to signify a period of time such as hereinbefore described. Cake dough of the kind heretofore used in ice cream cones, which have come to applicants notice, is undesirable for use in making the containers of this invention, because it is not liquid-proof over a sufficiently long period. If, however, cake dough can be made sufliciently liquid-proof for the purposes of this invention, it is recog ized that it may be used without departing from the principles of the invention. It is further of importance that the material from which the- ;containers are made be easily disintegrable by water over an extended eriod of time, in order that containers which are thrown out of automobiies along the roadside will soon fall to pieces under the action of the weather.

Certain features of the invention including the construction and arrangement of the apron 6 may be embodied in containers composed of any desired material such, for exam- 'gi le,as glass or silver.

A serving of ice cream is indicated in Fig. 7 by broken lines, and syrup supplied with. the ice cream is shown at B.

It will also be noted by reference to the drawings that the length of the handle portion 4 is less than one-half of the diameter or: the larger end of the body portion 2. A

The material must, however, be. liqu d-proof over a ,period oi; time long.

finger. The handle portion should be of the least length which will enable the container to be securely and comfortably held in the hand, since the capacity of. such portion should be small, to the end that noconsiderable part of a serving of ice cream can be contained in it. The dimensions ofthe handle portion 4, as shown by applicant and recited in his claims, are, therefore, very important to the production of a practical container for use in serving ice cream sundaes.

Having. fully described the inventioh what is claimed is;v

1. In a container, a substantially conical body portion adapted to contain ice cream, and a member extending from the top part of the body portion and formed to support a piece of cake.

2. A paper container comprising a body portion adapted to contain ice cream'and a member mounted on the body portion and arranged to support apiece of cakeor a spoon.

3. A paper container comprising a body portion adapted to contain a substance for human consumption, amember mounted on the body portion and formed to facilitate the support of the container by the hand While the substance isbeing eaten' from it, and a member projecting outwardly from the upper part of the body portion'and constructed to protect the clothing of the user.

4. In a container composed of paper or the like, a substantially conical body portion con structed to contain a. substance for human consumption and an apron extending outwardly from the top part of the body portion and constructed to overlie and protect the sleeve of the user. i

5. In a container, a conical body portion constructed to contain a substance for human consumption and an apron. extending outwardly from the top part of the body por tion, said apron being formed to present a substantially straight edge extending outwardly from the body portion and an edge extending from the outer end of the first-mentioned edge to the body portion of the container. v

6. In a container, a substantially conical portion adapted to contain. a substance for human consumption and an apron projecting from the top part of body portion, said apron being formed to present a substantially straight edge extending outwardly from the body portion and a curved edge converging graduaily from the outer end of the straight to the body portion. said straight edge being formed substantially in the plane of the apron and said curved edge being inclined upwardly and outwardly from the main body 0 the apron.

7. In a container constructed to be discarded after a single use without substantial economic lose, an outer section composed of easily destructible material and comprising a frusto-conical body portion open at both ends and a tubular handle portion opening into the body portion and extending downwardly from the reduced lower end thereof,

said handle portion being constructed so as to enable a number of said outer sections to be nested one within another and an inner conical portion also composed of easily destructiblc material and constructed to fit into the body portion oi the outer section and to close the lower end of the outer section.

' able the containers to be nested and having its 1 hand 0? the I 10. A non-edible container composed of lower end-closed to prevent the escape of material from the container. a

.9. A container composed of material which is liquid-proof over a period of time required torhuman' consumption of its contents by a suitable implement but easily disintegrable by water over an extended period of time or by' force, and comprising a substantially frusto-conical body portion adapted to contain a substance to be eaten and a tubular handle portion depending from'the smaller end of the body portion and opening into the body portion, said handle portion having its lower end closed and being constructed so as to enable the containers to be nested one within another and said handle and body portions being of the same order of axial length and formin an annular channel to receive the user.

material which is liquid-proof over a eriod of time required for the consumption 0 an ice cream sundaefrom it by a suitable implement and easily disintegrable by waterv over an extended period of time or by force, and com- :prising a substantially frusto-conical body portion adapted to contain a substance to be eaten, a tubular handle portion extending downwardly from the smaller end of the body portion and opening thereinto to permit nesting ofthe containers, and means for preventing escape of the substance through the bottom of the container. Y 11. A container composed off easily dls integrable material and comprising an upwardly and outwardly slop ng body portion adapted to contain a substance for human consumption' and a tubular handle portion depending from the small end of the bocly portion and opening thereinto to permit nesting of the containers, said handle portion being of a length such'as to enable the user to obtain a firm hold on the container while the substance is bef' 11g eaten from it, but not substantially exceeding the axial length of the frusto-coni cal portionso as to have a small capacity, and

means for preventing escape of the substance through the bottom of the container.

12. A container composed of easily disintegrable material and comprising a substantially frusto-conical body portion adapted to contain a substance for human consumption and a tubular handle portion depending from the smaller'end of the body portion and com municating at its upper end with the interior of the body portion, said handle portion hav-J ing its lower end closed and being arranged to form with the body portion an annular channel lying in a plane substantially at right angles with the axis of the container with its deepest point not higher than the mid-point of said axis and adaptedto receive the hand to enable the user to obtain a firm hold on the container while the substance is being eaten from it.

13. A container composed of material which is liquid-proof over a period of time required for human consumption of its contents by a suitable implement but easily disintegrable by water over an extended period of time or by force, and comprising a substantially frustoconical body portion adapted to contain a substance of human consumption and a tubular handle portion depending from the smaller end of the body portion, said body portion being open into the handle portion and said handle portion being constructed so as to enable thecontainers to be nested one within another.

14. A paper container comprisinga substantially frusto-conical body portion adapted to contain a substance for human consumption and a tubular handle portion opening into the body portion and depending from the smaller end thereof, said handle portion also being tapered downwardly and inwardly to the tip of its lower end so asto enable the containers to be nested, and means for preventing escape of the substance through the bottom of the container.

15. A container composed of material which is liquid-proof over a period of time .required for human consumptionof its contents by a suitable implement but easily,;-disintegrable by water over an extended period of time or by force, and comprising an upwardly and outwardly sloping body portion adapted to contain a substance for human consumption and a tubularhandle portion closed at its lower end and depending from the smaller end of the body portion, said body portion being open into the handle: portion and said handle portion being constructed so as to enable the'containers to be nested one within an-;

tents b a suitable implement but easily disintegrab' e by water over an extended period of time or by force, and comprising an upwardly and outwardl slopin body portion adapted to contain a sifbstance or human consumption and a tubular handle portion opening into the body portion and depending from the smaller end thereof, said handle portion bein closed at its lower end and being tapere downwardly and inwardly to the tip of its lower end so as to enable the containers to be nested.

- thin, flexible 17, In acontainer constructed to be discarded after a single use without substantial economic loss, an lnner section composedof aper and formed in the shape of a cone, and an outer section composed of relatively thick, stiflf paper and comprising a main body portion shapedto conform to the inner section and a tubular, handle portion opening into the body portion and extendin downwardly from the reduced lower en thereof, said handle portion being constructed so as to enable a number of said outer sections to be nested one wlthm another, and said inbody portion of the outer section and to close the lower end of said outer section.

Intestimony whereof I afiix'my signature.

JAMES G. NORTON.

-ner section being constructed to fit into the 

